"You want U.S. dollars?" Zhang Guan became a little surprised. He had given out a lot of money these days, but this was the first time Zhang Guan had encountered someone asking for U.S. dollars by name.
Chen Dong became more and more embarrassed, and he said: "Actually, the difficulties we are facing now are mainly in training. I mean the problem of the venue. For snow sports, training in winter is very easy. Let alone the Northeast, it is the capital. There are many ski resorts nearby, but training in summer is very difficult. As long as April and May enter, there is no place to train in the country. Our athletes can only wait, or practice equipment. You You are also an athlete, so you must know that athletes must train non-stop. As the saying goes, you will know if you don’t practice for one day, and the coach will know if you don’t practice for two days. If you don’t practice for three days, you will become rusty. In the summer, our athletes have to train for less than half a year. Stagnation means that the other half of the year’s efforts have been basically wasted.”
"This is indeed a problem." Zhang Guan nodded.
This is the temperate monsoon climate, with cold winters and hot summers. In winter, places north of the Yangtze River have the conditions to build ski resorts, let alone the Northeast; and in summer, Changbai Mountain is lush and green. The only place in the country that has snow all year round is the Himalayas. However, the Himalayas are so high in altitude and extremely hypoxic that they are obviously not suitable for athletes to train.
"So how do other countries solve this problem? Especially countries at the same latitude, such as the United States." Zhang Guan asked.
"Athletes from countries with the same latitude often go to other countries to train in the summer. Europeans can go to Northern Europe, and Americans can go to Canada. In short, it is somewhere close to the Arctic Circle, where you can train even in the summer. There is another place Just go to the Southern Hemisphere. It's summer for us, but it's winter for others. There are places where you can ski in New Zealand and Chile." Chen Dong paused and then said: "We want U.S. dollars because we hope to allow athletes to go abroad in the summer. train."
Zhang Guan hesitated. The amount of two million dollars turned into US dollars, which was six or seven times more than the original amount. Moreover, if he gave too much money, the bowl of water would not be level, which would cause more troublesome problems. It's like a poor boy won the lottery, and all his relatives came to borrow money. After the poor boy gave his uncle 30,000 yuan, he gave his cousin 50,000 yuan. His uncle would definitely be unhappy when he found out, and other relatives would also ask for more money. requirements. My cousin has given so much, why can't he give us more
The provincial team only took away 10 million from Zhang Guan, and the Snow Association has nothing to do with Zhang Guan. If people who have nothing to do with it take more money than the provincial team, it will definitely bring a lot to Zhang Guan. This is something Zhang Guan doesn't want to see.
"Two million US dollars is too much. It's not that I can't afford it, but I can't afford it. Let me tell you the bottom line. The training fund I donated to our provincial track and field team was 10 million, and the provincial track and field team was My registered unit, that’s why I donated so much." Zhang Guan said, also hinting at Chen Dong.
Chen Dong nodded slightly disappointedly. He also knew that it would be impossible to get two million US dollars from Zhang Guan with his red mouth and white teeth when the two parties met for the first time.
"How about 1.5 million US dollars. 1.5 million US dollars is almost equivalent to 10 million domestically." Chen Dong said.
Zhang Guan silently calculated in his mind that according to the US dollar central parity rate of 6.84 at the time, 1.5 million US dollars was more than the domestic 10 million.
"Is this Chen Dong really stupid, or is he just pretending to be stupid? I've already hinted that he understands so well, but he still dares to ask for 1 million US dollars?" Zhang Guan shook his head as he thought.
"Then 1 million US dollars!" Chen Dong gritted his teeth and said, with a look of determination in his eyes.
"Why do I feel like this guy is not here to ask for donations, but rather to ask for accounts?" Zhang Guan had a strange feeling in his heart. He looked at Chen Dong, silently calculated in his heart, and spoke Said: "Seven hundred thousand dollars!"
"Okay! Just 700,000." Chen Dong agreed very readily, without even giving Zhang Guan a chance to negotiate the price.
Zhang Guan suddenly felt that he seemed to have been tricked by Chen Dong. Perhaps the $2 million that Chen Dong asked for at the beginning was actually a big deal. His psychological price was already very low, and it was probably much lower than what Zhang Guan said. of US$700,000.
However, Zhang Guan thought about it and realized that US$700,000 could ensure that the athletes could train without interruption during the summer, which was considered a worthwhile thing.
…
Field Management Center.
Director Ma handed a form to Zhang Guan and said at the same time: "This is the track and field competition plan for next year. Our country is the host of next year's Asian Games, so you can't escape the Asian Games. You must participate. And you have to win gold.”
"Time flies so fast. The last Doha Asian Games feels like yesterday." Zhang Guan said looking at the game plan.
"The Asian Games will be held in November. It's still a long time. You have enough time to recover. However, the level of track and field in Asia is relatively low. Even if you are in average condition, you can easily win the gold medal. I know you are busy, so I give you the green light. , but it is still necessary to come back three months in advance for recovery training. In addition, there must be warm-up matches. Look at the domestic track and field competitions in September and October and choose a few to warm up." Director Ma continued.
"Okay, don't worry, there's nothing wrong with this." Zhang Guan said.
At this moment, Zhang Guan's cell phone rang. Zhang Guan looked at the caller, frowned slightly, and said to himself, "Why are you calling me in the middle of the night?"
"Calling you in the middle of the night? It's not even noon yet." Director Ma looked at the sky outside.
"I mean the person who called me, it was midnight at his place." Zhang Guan shook his phone and continued: "It was Dayao who called me. We are in the daytime, and it is night in the United States. He called me at this time. Call me, something must be up, I'll go out and pick it up."
"There's no one in the small conference room next to it. Go by yourself." Director Ma pointed to the room next door, then lowered his head and continued to work on his own business.
Zhang Guanyi trotted to the next door and answered the phone.
"Brother Yao, it must be getting late over there. You haven't rested yet. Why do you want to call me?" Zhang Guan asked.
"I have something important to ask you. Please tell me first. Are you going to continue participating in the F1 race next year?" Dayao asked.
"It's not decided yet! I'm just preparing to take a break recently, so I haven't considered this." Zhang Guan said.
"Give me some accurate information first!" Dayao said directly.
"I won't participate. There is the Asian Games tomorrow, and our country is still the host. It is impossible for me to participate in F1. After all, a season is from March to October, which is too long and will delay the Asian Games." Zhang Guan immediately became very worried. Definitely.
"That's good. You haven't arranged any games from August to early September next year, right?" Zhang Guan asked.
"This is really not decided yet, but the Tianjin Management Center wants me to return to training at that time, and I will also participate in several warm-up matches starting in September." Zhang Guan said.
"Can you wait until after September 12 to report to the Athletics Association?" Dayao said immediately.
"September 12th? Is there any competition?" Zhang Guan asked.
"August 28th to September 12th is the Men's Basketball World Championship. We need you." Dayao paused and then said: "Now that the men's basketball team has you and me, the Arab League is more mature than two years ago. It is estimated that within ten years, our men’s basketball team will not be able to assemble such a strong lineup, so I want to take this opportunity to give it a try!”
"Want to compete for a world championship?" Zhang Guan asked.
"At least I have to win a medal! When we won the Olympic Games last year, I was thinking that if I could lead the national team and win a gold medal in the World Championships, it would be worth it even if my leg was broken!" Dayao said in his tone. Unknowingly, it brought out a faint sense of sadness.
"Speaking of which, how is your leg injury?" Zhang Guan asked.
"To be honest, I'm not very optimistic. This kind of stress injury is very troublesome. If I recover well this time, I can still survive for three or four years. If I get injured again, I'm really in doubt." Dayao continued: "This Injury actually depends on luck, some people are fine after being injured for more than ten years, and some people can’t stand up after being injured once.”
"Then you are still working so hard? Stress injuries require the most rest. You only had surgery in July. Doesn't it mean that you will miss the entire season? Will you be able to fully recover from the Basketball World Championships in August?" Zhang Guan said. .
"It should be about the same!" Dayao said.
"Absolutely? I've been watching the news. Doctors in the United States say that with your injury, ideally you won't be able to resume training until October next year. Now you tell me that you have to play in August. You Are you kidding!" Zhang Guan said angrily.
"That's why I've been staying in the United States. The recovery conditions here are better. I think they have a way to help me recover as soon as possible so that I can make it in time to participate in the Men's Basketball World Championships in August." Dayao said.
"Then you're not going to take your legs?" Zhang Guan asked even more angrily.
"If I can win a gold medal in the World Championships, it will be worth losing my legs!" Dayao repeated this sentence.
"Is it worth becoming disabled and sitting in a wheelchair for the rest of my life?" Zhang Guan asked rhetorically.
"It's worth it!" Dayao answered directly without any hesitation.
Zhang Guan fell into silence, while Dayao on the other side of the phone seemed to be infected by his emotions. He continued: "If it weren't for you, I would definitely choose to rest until October next year, or even later. I love basketball and I want to play for a few more years. But it’s different now, we have you, we defeated the US team in the Olympics and won the gold medal, and we may win the World Championships!”
"Brother Yao, you have to know that even if I go, we may not be able to win the gold medal in the World Championships. Don't forget that there is also the American Dream Team. They have lost two consecutive Olympic championships. The last one In the Men’s Basketball World Championships, they didn’t even make it to the finals. The Dream Team, which has lost three times in a row, will definitely hope to regain its place. This time we will face the strongest Dream Team!” Zhang Guan said. .
"In which year was the American Dream Team not the strongest among all teams? But being the strongest does not mean that it cannot be defeated. In last year's Olympics, the Dream Team was already known as the strongest lineup in the world at that time. Didn't we also win? Really! I believe that as long as we are willing to fight, we will definitely have a chance." Dayao's tone became more determined, and Zhang Guan could even think of his impassioned expression on the other side of the phone.
"That won't be like this. You are not yet thirty years old. Even if you wait four more years, you will still be thirty-four. We still have time. There is no need for you to put yourself on the line." Zhang Guan persuaded. Dao, although Zhang Guan knew that Dayao's legs would not last until he was thirty-four years old, he still chose to tell a white lie.
"My legs can't hold up until that time." Dayao continued: "My leg injury this time is more serious than any before, and every injury in the future will be more serious than now. I know, my legs I can no longer get injured. If I get injured again, I will have to give up my career. So this is the only chance in my life and the last chance. If I choose, it is to win a medal for my country in the World Championships. Gold medal, or playing in the NBA for a few more years, I would rather choose the former!"
Zhang Guan fell into silence again. In his memory, Dayao did not participate in next year's Men's Basketball World Championship at all. He did not return to the court until one month after the start of the new NBA season, and then only played five games before suffering a stress fracture again. The season was reimbursed and he retired the following year.
At that time, Dayao chose to rest in peace and recuperate, hoping to extend his career for a few years. But now, Dayao has made a different choice.
"Is it because of me?" Zhang Guan suddenly realized that all these changes were due to his own existence. If it weren't for the miraculous performance of the men's basketball team in the Olympics, if he hadn't defeated the American team, perhaps Yao would have chosen to rest in peace and recuperate instead of rushing to return to play in the World Championships.
"It's really because of me!" Zhang Guan took a deep breath. Dayao was willing to risk his own legs for a chance to win the gold medal, which made him feel a kind of sadness and compassion in his heart. But then I thought about it, now Dayao, even if he did not appear in the Men's Basketball World Championships, in the course of history, he only has five games left in his career. It's the final moment. .
On the other side of the phone, Dayao gradually calmed down and said: "Zhang Guan, I know you are worried about my leg injury and that I will get injured again. But for me, the national team is worth it. Dedication, on the field of fighting for the country, is more meaningful than losing in NBA games. Even if I will be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, I can proudly say to my children at that time that this injured leg is My glory!"
"I understand!" Zhang Guan took a deep breath. Even though he was across the Pacific Ocean and on the other side of the earth, Zhang Guan could still feel the persistence in Dayao's heart.
"Let's win the championship together, win the World Championships championship!" Zhang Guan said.
———
PS: I’ve been busy lately, so I haven’t read a book review for a long time. I glanced at it today and I was a little confused. I don’t quite understand how an athlete, after making a lot of money, can help support the training of his own track and field team and donate some money to contribute to the development of sports. How can he become a fool? For example, those who make money all put it into their own pockets. They eat sea cucumbers and abalones every day, change their long-legged models, drive sports cars and yachts, and then look at other peers, steamed buns, pickles, and spicy sauce. Is this noble? Not to mention that it’s not that miserable in reality, the women’s football team only has braised chicken drumsticks as a meat dish, and the only unlimited items are white rice, steamed buns and pickles, but they can go to the World Cup and the Olympics! They are also football players. Those who eat abalone, serve as models and drive sports cars, can they go to the World Cup? Can you make it to the Olympics? hehe…
(End of chapter)